Headquartered on the Gold Coast, Orbit2Orbit has brought together a growing group of Australian engineering and space firms covering the full value chain – from propulsion and robotics to artificial intelligence, power systems and advanced materials. The consortium is designed to pool expertise, lower development costs and accelerate progress in an emerging sector expected to reshape the global space economy.
Orbit2Orbit founder and chief executive Bradley Hatton-Jones said the initiative was about building capability as much as hardware.
“The consortium is more than a list of MOUs, it’s a strategy to de-risk development and create shared success,” he said. “Every member gains early exposure to in-orbit markets, while Orbit2Orbit gains the depth and capability to build a logistics network that keeps cargo and science flowing between stations.”
The current members include:
- Starbound Space – developers of Virgil, an AI-driven compliance and mission assurance platform.
- MP Space – providers of satellite subsystems and rugged power solutions for low-Earth orbit missions.
- MEXX Engineering – specialists in robotics and advanced manufacturing, co-developing Orbit2Orbit’s space robot and future orbital factory.
- Zendir – creators of digital twin environments for virtual prototyping and mission testing.
- Deneb Space – experts in autonomous satellite control and onboard AI hardware.
- Spiral Blue – leaders in space-based edge computing for real-time sensor and LiDAR processing.
- SITL – satellite hardware specialists, recently releasing a small form-factor gigabit Ethernet switch for space systems.
- Extraterrestrial Power – Developers of lightweight, high-efficiency solar arrays engineered for next-generation spacecraft and in-orbit energy systems.
Up to four new space stations are expected to be operating in low-Earth orbit by 2030, driving demand for reliable in-orbit logistics. Orbit2Orbit and its partners hope to seize first-mover advantage, positioning Australia not just as a participant but as a driver in the next phase of space development.
The project also underscores south-east Queensland’s rise as a national space hub, anchoring an ecosystem of companies that could see Australia take a central role in building sustainable orbital infrastructure.